Key-ring.



JOHN A. PRIGGE, JR., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEY-RING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

Original application filed March 31, 1910, Serial No. 551,033. Divided and this application filed November 4, 1910. Serial No. 590,671.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN A. Pnioon, J12, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Key-Ring, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide a key ring the general outline whereof is circular, said ring being provided with a plurality of separated key holding compartments and a rigid name plate for said ring; and to provide a compact key holding device having resilient key hanging sections, and fixedly secured thereto a plate adapted for use as a name plate or as an advertising medium.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in which igure 1 is a side view of a key ring constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sec tion taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side view of a modified form of the invention; and Fig. 5 is a cross section of a modified form of the invention, showing in conjunction therewith a removable plate to hold which the modified form of ring is provided.

The present application is a divisional application, being divided from the application for patent on key ring No. 551,033 filed March 31, 1910, and issued under date of November 29, 1910, bearing Patent No. 977,221, to which application and patent cross reference is here made.

The wire is bent, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to form a series of three loops, the curved sections of the wire forming the said loops being designated by the numerals 8, 9 and 10. The section 8 would, if the wire should be straightened, form the median section, and the loop which the said section bounds is formed by adjacent straight sections 11, 11. The straight sections 11, 11 are arranged with reference to the section 8 at an angle radial to the circle of which the said section 8 forms a part. Adjacent the straight sections 11, 11 are straight sections 12 and 13. The sections 12 and 13 are disposed in mutually parallel relation, and are extended from the point of junction with the straight sections 11, 11, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to constitute a partition of the circle formed by the sections 8, 9 and 10, the said partition dividing the space within the circle into areas equaling approximately a third each of the space contained within the circle. The sections 9 and 10 are bent from the sections 13 and 12, the ends of the said sections 9 and 10 being inturned to form straight sections 14. and 15, which are disposed in parallel relation to thstraight sections 11, 11. The inner and free ends of the sections 14 and 15 are outturned from the sections 11, 11 to form lips 16 and 17,

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1

of the drawings that the parallel arrangement of the sections 11, 11 with the sections 14, 15 match the parallel arrangement of the sections 12 and 13, forming a graceful design and a novel structure.

, In the operation of a key ring of the character described, the keys are inserted from the center of the ring under the lips 16 or 17, and moved outward between the sections 1 1 or 15 and the adjacent section 1.1 to the section 9 or 10, as the case may be, upon which the rings are threaded in a manner usual to key rings. By providing the two sections 9 and 10 it is possible for the user to arrange his keys with reference to their various employment. The section of the circular space comprised within the sections 11, 11 and the section 8 is filled by a solid plate 18. The plate 18 may be secured to the wire by any suitable means, that preferred by me unite the same rigidly by soldering. The plate 18 may be engraved, bossed or stamped with the name and ad dress of the owner, or may be utilized for exhibiting an advertising matter or device, substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have shown a modified form of the invention wherein the plate 18 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive is omitted, providing a clear loop 19. In the operation of the modified form of ring it is designed that the various loops formed by the sections 9 and 10 and the loop 19 shall be used for different classes of keys, the keys of most permanent character being deposited in the loop 19. Then the ring, as shown in Fig. 4, is attached to a chain or other retaining device, the hook or connecting ring of the said chain is preferably extended I from which the plates 21 are constructed,

through the loop 19. When the ring as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings is connected to the key chain referred to, the snap or connection ring thereof is passed through a perforation 20 formed in the fixed plate 18.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings is shown a modified form of the invention wherein provision is made for the employment of loose plates 21. The plates 21 are held in grooves 22, 22 formed in the inner surfaces of the sections 23 and 24, 24, which sections correspond to the sections 8 and 11, 11 except in so far as the grooves 22, 22 vary the construction. The plates 21 may be constructed from any suitable material, and may be carried in stock by a dealer to be adjusted to a ring to suit the taste and desire of a customer. As, for instance, the plates 21 may have embossed or engraved thereon monograms, initials, or names of the owner of the keys. Further, the plates 21 may be constructed, if desired, from such materials as pasteboard or celluloid, whereon would be inscribed the suitable date in the event of the owner desiring to file keys contained on the ring for future use and for reference. In any event, without reference to the material or the nature of the surface characters with which they are provided, said plates are mounted in the ring structure by being snapped within the grooves 22, the sections 23 and 24 yielding to permit sufficient dis placement to admit the said plates 21.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A key ring, comprising a member having three separated areas, said areas being divided by straight sections doubled in parallel extensions, said extensions radiating from the common center of said areas.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. PRIGGE, JR.

\Vitnesses I. A. GRAHAM, H. HERRMANN.

' Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' WashingtomD. G. 

